I have a feeling this episode will be like the other first episode of the seasons. It's throwing a lot of thematic elements we won't visit again in the same way later and it'll only make sense once the seasons's over.

Grungehamster:I'd say this was the first episode's twist in reverse, but I think everyone predicted Don was back to his old ways by the end of last season.

It's not really his old ways though. Old Don would NEVER have gone for a friend's wife nor would he have gone for someone who lived in the same building as him and his wife. He used to keep his philandering totally separate from his family life- the fact that he ended up with Sally's former teacher signified his marriage's downfall before.

I think Don's in a downward spiral now. He's depressed, broken and his alcoholism has gotten out of control. (Old Don also never would have lost it in front of Pete and Ken Cosgrove, way too undignified) That was almost Freddy Rumson level drunk.

Genevieve Marie:Grungehamster: I'd say this was the first episode's twist in reverse, but I think everyone predicted Don was back to his old ways by the end of last season.

It's not really his old ways though. Old Don would NEVER have gone for a friend's wife nor would he have gone for someone who lived in the same building as him and his wife. He used to keep his philandering totally separate from his family life- the fact that he ended up with Sally's former teacher signified his marriage's downfall before.

I think Don's in a downward spiral now. He's depressed, broken and his alcoholism has gotten out of control. (Old Don also never would have lost it in front of Pete and Ken Cosgrove, way too undignified) That was almost Freddy Rumson level drunk.

I think this season is not going to be kind to Don.

Agreed. He seems to be on a path to ruin. Should be a hell of a ride though.

Wow! Alabama and Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl! Drinking! Smoking! And the hippie movement rears its counterculture head! It's all back! Stick around after the show where, on tonight's "The Talking Mad Men", Matthew Weiner will refuse to say anything relevant or spoilerish, someone from an AMC reality series with blather on, and in the Death Lounge, Jared Harris will be hanging around. All tonight on "The Talking Mad Men"!

Genevieve Marie:FirstNationalBastard: Dafatone: I know that these sorts of "will [this plot point]???" headlines are all the rage, but it's pretty annoying to get spoilers when you're a season behind on a show.

Most of these were very vague.

Also, when a new season starts, I would think the spoiler limit for the previous season has expired.

Agreed. It's not cool to share spoilers a day after the episode airs, but a year later? Yea, get over it.

Hey netflix just farking updated for season five yesterday. Christ, I don't have a tv!

cheap_thoughts:Genevieve Marie: FirstNationalBastard: Dafatone: I know that these sorts of "will [this plot point]???" headlines are all the rage, but it's pretty annoying to get spoilers when you're a season behind on a show.

Most of these were very vague.

Also, when a new season starts, I would think the spoiler limit for the previous season has expired.

Agreed. It's not cool to share spoilers a day after the episode airs, but a year later? Yea, get over it.

Hey netflix just farking updated for season five yesterday. Christ, I don't have a tv!

cheap_thoughts:Genevieve Marie: FirstNationalBastard: Dafatone: I know that these sorts of "will [this plot point]???" headlines are all the rage, but it's pretty annoying to get spoilers when you're a season behind on a show.

Most of these were very vague.

Also, when a new season starts, I would think the spoiler limit for the previous season has expired.

Agreed. It's not cool to share spoilers a day after the episode airs, but a year later? Yea, get over it.

Hey netflix just farking updated for season five yesterday. Christ, I don't have a tv!

Only mistake/flub I caught was that PFC Dinkins (according to the back of the lighter) was a PV2 indicated by the single chevron on his uniform. I also know that he served 8 months in 'Nam, and PV2s usually get promoted after 6 months to PFC. He may have gotten an Article 15 and downgraded, but with the level of detail that this show goes through on a per episode basis, I chalked it up to a flub.

I also remember an episode where they say Sally hitches a ride to Woodstock, can't remember which one, so I either see creepy Glenn coming back or Sandy taking her this season since this year is 1968 if I am correct.

nolafark:Only mistake/flub I caught was that PFC Dinkins (according to the back of the lighter) was a PV2 indicated by the single chevron on his uniform. I also know that he served 8 months in 'Nam, and PV2s usually get promoted after 6 months to PFC. He may have gotten an Article 15 and downgraded, but with the level of detail that this show goes through on a per episode basis, I chalked it up to a flub.

That's what was bugging me! There was something about his uni that was making me think "this is wrong" but I couldn't put my finger on it. You're right -- he was missing the rocker.

I might have been able to catch it sooner, but I was on my second triple-bourbon at that point (with one more triple to go).

nolafark:Only mistake/flub I caught was that PFC Dinkins (according to the back of the lighter) was a PV2 indicated by the single chevron on his uniform. I also know that he served 8 months in 'Nam, and PV2s usually get promoted after 6 months to PFC. He may have gotten an Article 15 and downgraded, but with the level of detail that this show goes through on a per episode basis, I chalked it up to a flub.

I also remember an episode where they say Sally hitches a ride to Woodstock, can't remember which one, so I either see creepy Glenn coming back or Sandy taking her this season since this year is 1968 if I am correct.

I enjoyed it, especially when the photographer asked Don to be himself. A cigarette is a crutch against a hateful society, as I know too well, and he has someone else's lighter. Dinkins or Draper....neither one is him.

Genevieve Marie:I think Don's in a downward spiral now. He's depressed, broken and his alcoholism has gotten out of control. (Old Don also never would have lost it in front of Pete and Ken Cosgrove, way too undignified) That was almost Freddy Rumson level drunk.

I think this season is not going to be kind to Don.

I always thought Weiner intends to have Don sail out the window a la the opening montage. He seems preoccupied with death, hounding the doorman, asking questions, etc. And he stood and looked out that window an awful long time. I think suicide might be in the cards.